Magnetic propulsion system

ABSTRACT

A magnetic propulsion drive system provides power output by including the use of permanent magnets repelled by electromagnets on adjacent rotor assemblies. In some embodiments, the electromagnets may be inactive until synchronized to face an opposing permanent magnet of the same polarity. The electromagnet may be energized thus causing a repellant force with the permanent magnet causing radial momentum in the rotor assembly to rotate a larger drive module of rotor assemblies. Embodiments may include two or more drive modules arranged to position opposing magnets of the same type so that each drive modules is driven producing and output torque through a drive shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of pending U.S.Non-Provisional Application having Ser. No. 13/743,273 filed Jan. 16,2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to magnetic propulsion systems.

Current electric motors, and DC motors in particular, suffer from one ormore drawbacks. Many types of motor are inefficient. More efficientmodels are available, but these motors have electronic control systemsthat are complex, expensive, or both.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the subject technology, a magneticpropulsion drive system comprises a first radial magnetic assembly(RMA); a first axle coupled to the first RMA; a first permanent magnetof a first polarity on an exterior surface of the first RMA; a secondRMA; a second axle coupled to the second RMA; a first electromagnetmagnet of the first polarity on an exterior surface of the second RMA,the first permanent magnet disposed to align with the firstelectromagnet during rotation of the first RMA and rotation of thesecond RMA, wherein the first electromagnet is activated when inalignment with the first permanent magnet, the first electromagnet andthe first permanent magnet repelling from each other during activationof the first electromagnet and causing the first axle and second axle torotate; and a drive shaft rotated by turning of the first axle and thesecond axle.

According to another embodiment of the subject technology, a magneticpropulsion drive module comprises a first, a second, a third, and afourth drive module arranged longitudinally parallel to each other, eachdrive module comprising at least one rotor block assembly including aplurality of electromagnets positioned to and configured to repel from aplurality of permanent magnets on any adjacent one of the first, second,third, or fourth drive modules, the repulsion of the electromagnets fromthe permanent magnets causing radial momentum and rotation of the first,second, third, or fourth drive modules; a gear coupled to the first,second, third, and fourth drive modules; and a drive shaft coupled tothe output shaft gear and rotated by turning of the planetary gearscoupled to either the first and third or second and fourth drivemodules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention ismade below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein likenumerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic drive propulsion systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the subject technology;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the magnetic drive propulsion system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the magnetic drive propulsion system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the magnetic drive propulsion system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the leftmost radial magneticassemblies shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the leftmost radial magneticassemblies shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of the magnetic drive propulsionsystem of FIG. 2 depicting a front of cradle assembly with two planetarytorque transfer gears and a single output shaft gear;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged end view of a synchronization gear of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7B is a partial front view of cradle housing of the system of FIG.2;

FIG. 8 is a rear end schematic view of electrical connections poweringthe drive modules of FIG. 2 depicting firing sequences of alternatingdiagonal rotors;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged and partial exploded view of a rotor blockaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the subject technology depictingan RMA (radial magnetic assembly) with either N-pole field coils andS-pole magnets or S-pole field coils and N-pole magnets;

FIG. 10 is a side schematic view of electrical connections through axlesaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the subject technology;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the rectangle 10A of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10B is an enlarged end view of electrical tine positions on radialmagnetic assemblies according to an exemplary embodiment of the subjecttechnology;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of end views of the RMAs of the top rotor blockof FIG. 5 each rotated to the counterclockwise by an offset of 11.25°from the previous RMA;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of end views of the RMAs of the top rotor blockof FIG. 6 each rotated to the counterclockwise by an offset of 11.25°from the previous RMA;

FIG. 13 is an end schematic view of the drive modules of FIG. 2 showingrepellant relationships among permanent magnets and electromagnets ofadjacent drive modules according to an exemplary embodiment of thesubject technology;

FIG. 14 is a right side view of a magnetic drive propulsion systemaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the subject technology;

FIG. 15 a right side view of a magnetic drive propulsion systemaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the subject technology;and

FIG. 16 a right side view of a magnetic drive propulsion systemaccording to still yet another exemplary embodiment of the subjecttechnology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Broadly, embodiments of the subject technology provide a magneticpropulsion drive system. The magnetic propulsion drive system may beexpandable to meet various power output needs. The word “exemplary” isused herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspector design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a magnetic drive propulsion system 100(referred to generally as the “system 100”) is shown according to anexemplary embodiment of the subject technology. The system 100 generallyincludes a plurality of drive modules 150 arranged in juxtaposition toprovide a combined torque output when operated. Each drive module 150includes a plurality of magnets (113; 114; 115; 116) (described indetail below). When operated, magnets of the same polarity fromdifferent drive modules 150 are synchronized to face each other andrepel providing an impetus to the respective modules 150 which driveaxles 120;121 to turn. The drive modules 150 may be generallycylindrical and positioned so at least two modules have theirlongitudinal axes in parallel to one another. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, four drive modules are arranged in parallel however itwill be understood that the system 100 generally uses two or more drivemodules arranged to spin from each other. Operation of the system 100turns the drive modules 150 so that an output torque is provided fromaxles 120; 121 which in turn provide power output to output drive shaft110 (FIGS. 2-4).

The drive modules 150 may include one or more rotor blocks 155 (alsosometimes referred to as rotor assemblies 155). The exemplary embodimentshows drive modules 150 including five rotor blocks 155 each, however itwill be appreciated that aspects of the subject technology allow formore or less rotor blocks 155 depending on the desired output (as shownin FIGS. 14-16). The rotor blocks 155 generally include a plurality ofradial magnetic assemblies (RMA) 131. In an exemplary embodiment, a RMA131 may include 8 magnets (113; 114; 115; 116) facing outward from anexterior surface and alternating between N-pole and S-pole polarities.The magnets (113; 114; 115; 116) include permanent magnets and fieldcoil electromagnets.

The RMA 131 may be milled out of aluminum round stock, with round holesmilled of sufficient diameter and depth to accommodate the dimensions ofthe electromagnets 113; 114 every 90 degrees around the outer radius forinsertion of field coils, and squared milled recesses every 90 degreesfor insertion of the permanent magnets (115; 116) which may be forexample, NdFeB (Grade 35) magnets. Thirty two (32) ⅛″ holes 124 may bemilled into the front and back of the RMAs 131 and may be offset by11.25 degree's apart on the inner radius to accommodate ⅛″ compressionpins 125 (FIG. 9) which are press fitted together to establish a 11.25degree's offset of magnets between each RMA 131. Tines 117 (FIGS. 10,10A, 10B) may conduct current from the axles 120; 121 to theelectromagnets 113; 114) in the RMAs 131.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, odd numbered circles represent N-poleelectromagnets (B-fields). Even numbered circles represent S-poleelectromagnets (B-fields). Odd numbered squares represent N-polepermanent magnets (H-fields). Even numbered squares represent S-polepermanent magnets (H-fields). The magnets (113; 114; 115; 116) arenumbered so that magnets of the same number are synchronized to faceeach other as synchronization gears 112 turn on ends of the modules 150.20. The upper left and lower right drive modules 150 (FIG. 1) includeodd numbered electromagnets 113; 114 (B-fields). The upper right andlower left drive modules 150 (FIG. 1) include even numberedelectromagnets 113; 114 (B-fields). The electromagnets (113; 114)(B-fields) may be offset from the permanent magnets (115; 116)(H-fields) by 45 degrees. Each electromagnet (113;114) (B-fields) may bespaced equidistant from any adjacent permanent magnet (115;116)(H-fields)

Referring still to FIGS. 1-4 and concurrently to FIGS. 5 and 6, in anexemplary embodiment, rotor block 155 may include for example four RMA's131 (designated “R1”, “R2”, “R3”, “R4”) juxtaposed longitudinally alongan axle 120 or 121. The magnets (113; 114; 115; 116) may be arranged sothat a same magnet type (for example N-pole electromagnets representedby the same number) are adjacent to one another and any two adjacentmagnets are offset radially from the center of the rotor block 155 by anangle of 11.25 degrees. Same type magnets (113; 114; 115; 116) onadjacent rotor blocks 155 may be offset by 33.75 degrees (for example,the last square 4 of the first rotor block 155 on the lower right drivemodule 150 is radially 33.75 degrees ahead of the first square 4 of the2^(nd) rotor block 155 on the same drive module 150).

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, 7, 7A, and 7B, the following describes anexemplary embodiment of housing for the system 100 connecting the axles120; 121 to the planetary gear 119. A base plate 101 provides a deckstructure to support cradle bases 102 fore and aft an end plate 108which is drilled and tapped to accommodate threaded fasteners 126 forstructural integrity. The cradle, bases 102, cradle center 103, andcradle top 104 may be support structures with half-moon milled cutoutrecesses 123 (FIG. 7B) for mounting rotor bearings 118. A top plate,enclosure 105 may connect to left plate 106, right plate 107, top cradle104, and end plate 108. The end plate 108 may be a gear housingenclosure panel, with surface mounted flange bearings 109 drilled andtapped to accommodate output drive shaft 110. Roller bearings 109 may besurface mount flange bearings supporting the output drive shaft 110. Theoutput drive shaft 110 may be secured to the cradle center 103 andprotrudes through a hole in end plate 108. A drive gear 111, receivestorque from two counterclockwise rotating planetary gears 119 (See alsoFIG. 7) connected to axles 120 which are driven by the rotation of thedrive modules 150 and converts this force to clockwise rotation of theoutput drive shaft 110. The synchronization gears 112 may include a 1:1ratio for all drive modules 150. Fasteners may secure the gears 112 tothe front and back of drive modules 150 along with set screws to securegears to the axles 120 or 121. Rotor bearings 118 may be press fitted tothe axles 120; 121 after the drive modules 150 are attached. Notchingkeyways 127 (FIG. 7) may be provided for brass keys to adhere gears 119to shafts 120 by press fit. Notching keyways 128 secure rotor block 155to axles 120; 121.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, 10, 10A, and 10B, the following describes anexemplary electrical connection in the system 100. The system 100 mayinclude a power supply 132 which may be an AC/DC power supply which mayinclude for example, a transformer, a full wave bridge rectifier, filtercapacitors, and load resistors or any suitable off the shelf, variablepower supply. The system 100 may be a brush type system howeverbrushless embodiments may also be used. For example, brushes 129 may bespring loaded assemblies contained within a brush housing 122 with acurrent carrying conductor 135 attached in parallel from the output sideof a power supply 132. Wiring 130 may include current carryingconductors 135 run in parallel of sufficient gauge and length totransfer power from the output side of the power supply 132 to thespring loaded brushes 129 in brush housings 122. Imbedded currentcarrying conductors 135 may supply parallel power to all field coils inelectromagnets 113; 114 through axles 20 and 21. Current from the outputside of the power supply 132 travels through the parallel wiring 130 tothe brushes 129 contained within the brush housings 122 and transfersthat power from the brushes 129 to the current carrying conductor 135 tothe tines 117 to energize the field coils in electromagnets 113; 114 inpairs of two (2) at 90 degree right angles, repelling off of thepermanent magnets 115; 116 on an adjacent drive module 150.

As may be appreciated, while the foregoing was described primarily inthe context of two adjacent drive modules 150, the system 100 may bearranged as shown so that electromagnets (113; 114) of a drive module150 may be synchronized with corresponding like numbered permanentmagnets (115; 116) of two separate drive modules 150 so that four drivemodules 150 may provide concurrent, synchronized output. Referring nowto FIGS. 1 and 11-13, operation of the system 100 is shown from aperspective and end views to show four different pairs of like numbered,opposite polarity magnets synchronized to face each other and repel atthe same time. In operation, like numbered magnets of the same polarity,but one being an electromagnet 113 or 114 on a first rotor block 155 ofa first radial magnetic assembly 131 of a first drive module 150 and theother being a permanent magnet 115 or 116 on a first rotor block 155 ofa first radial magnetic assembly 131 of a second drive module 150, aresynchronized to face each other. The electromagnets (113; 114) may beinactive until positioned opposing a permanent magnet (115; 116) of thesame polarity. For example, magnets 114 may not have a current chargeuntil rotated into position to face magnets 116. An exemplary startingposition is shown with the alignment of two pairs of an electromagnet113 and a permanent magnet 115 in the vertical plane (EM1 and M1) andtwo pairs of an electromagnet 113 and a permanent magnet 115 (EM3 andM3) in the horizontal plane (FIG. 13). When a magnet 113 from one drivemodule 150 faces a magnet 115 from an adjacent drive module 150, themagnet 113 may be energized which provides a flux density (in Watts) tothe magnet 115 (of the same field) to repel each other and induce radialmomentum to respective drive modules 150. The corresponding likenumbered magnets from the second rotor block of respective drive modules150 lag behind the first paired up magnets by 11.25 degrees of rotationand when synchronized to face each other, add to the resultingpropulsion output power of the respective radial magnetic assemblies131. Thus as the second set of like numbered magnets from opposing rotorblocks 155 (for example, those magnets on “R2”s of FIGS. 5 and 6)synchronize for repulsion, the first paired up magnets are no longeraligned for repulsion. The radial magnetic assemblies 131 continue tofire up the electromagnets 113; 114) in sequence with correspondingpermanent magnets 115; 116 to provide continuous radial momentum drivingrespective axles 120 and 121 which in turn transfer torque to theplanetary gear 119.

The magnitude of output from the subject technology is dependent on thesize of RMAs 131 diameter N, gear pitch circle N, the number of rotorblocks 155 which determines axle (120;121) length (see for example FIGS.14-16), and the power in watts of the N and S pole field coils. Thenumber of radial rotor blocks 155 per shaft determines the outputpower/torque. For example, a system using four rotor blocks 155 mayproduce output of approximately 746 W/HP. It may be appreciated that thesubject technology provides a unique symmetry in that multiple copies ofdrive modules 150 may be designed to be stacked infinitely high incolumns and infinitely long in rows, with all gears intermeshing toincreasing output power and torque. Dual bi-lateral, octagonal, helical,reflective symmetry may be use to describe the relationship betweenadjacent drive modules 150.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous designconfigurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of theinventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations andarrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of thepresent invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below ratherthan narrowed by the embodiments described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic propulsion drive system, comprising: afirst radial magnetic assembly (RMA); a first axle coupled to the firstRMA; a first permanent magnet of a first polarity on an exterior surfaceof the first RMA; a first electromagnet of a second polarity positionednext to the first permanent magnet on the first RMA; a second RMA; asecond axle coupled to the second RMA; a second electromagnet magnet ofthe first polarity on an exterior surface of the second RMA, the firstpermanent magnet disposed to align with the second electromagnet duringrotation of the first RMA and rotation of the second RMA, a secondpermanent magnet of the second polarity positioned next to secondelectromagnet on the second RMA, the first electromagnet dispose toalign with the second permanent magnet during rotation of the first RMAand rotation of the second RMA, wherein the second electromagnet isactivated when in alignment with the first permanent magnet, the firstelectromagnet is activated when in alignment with the second permanentmagnet, the first electromagnet and the second permanent magnetrepelling from each other during activation of the first electromagnet,the second electromagnet and the first permanent magnet repelling fromeach other during activation of the second electromagnet and causing thefirst axle and second axle to rotate; and a drive shaft rotated byturning of the first axle and the second axle.
 2. The magneticpropulsion drive system of claim 1, wherein activation of the secondelectromagnet includes providing current to the first electromagnet toprovide a flux density of a same field as the first permanent magnet. 3.The magnetic propulsion drive system of claim 1, wherein alignment ofthe first electromagnet and the second permanent magnet comprises thesecond permanent facing the first electromagnet.
 4. The magneticpropulsion drive system of claim 1, wherein: the first RMA comprises atleast two adjacently positioned rotor blocks, each rotor block includingrespectively a plurality of electromagnets of the same polarity and aplurality of permanent magnets of the same polarity, whereinelectromagnets of the same type and same polarity on a first of therotor blocks is adjacent and offset radially from electromagnets of thesame type and same polarity on a second of the rotor blocks by an angleof 11.25 degrees from the axis of the first axle; and the second RMAcomprises at least two adjacently positioned rotor blocks, each rotorblock including respectively a plurality of electromagnets of the samepolarity and a plurality of permanent magnets of the same polarity,wherein electromagnets of the same type and same polarity on a first ofthe rotor blocks of the second RMA is adjacent and offset radially fromelectromagnets of the same type and same polarity on a second of therotor blocks of the second RMA by an angle of 11.25 degrees from theaxis of the first axle.
 5. The magnetic propulsion drive module of claimof claim 4, wherein each electromagnet is spaced equidistant from anyadjacent permanent magnet.
 6. A magnetic propulsion drive module,comprising: a first, a second, a third, and a fourth drive modulearranged longitudinally parallel to each other, each drive modulecomprising at least one rotor block assembly including a plurality ofelectromagnets of a first polarity positioned to and configured to repelfrom a plurality of permanent magnets of the first polarity on anyadjacent one of the first, second, third, or fourth drive modules, theat least one rotor block assembly further including a plurality ofelectromagnets of a second polarity positioned in between electromagnetsof the first polarity, the plurality of electromagnets of the secondpolarity positioned to and configured to repel from a plurality ofpermanent magnets of a second polarity on any adjacent one of the first,second, third, or fourth drive modules, the repulsion of theelectromagnets of the first polarity from the permanent magnets of thefirst polarity, and the repulsion of the electromagnets of the secondpolarity from the permanent magnets of the second polarity, causingradial momentum and rotation of the first, second, third, and fourthdrive modules; a gear coupled to the first, second, third, and fourthdrive modules; and a drive shaft coupled to the output shaft gear androtated by turning of the planetary gears coupled to either the firstand third or second and fourth drive modules.
 7. The magnetic propulsiondrive module of claim 6, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets ofthe first polarity and the plurality of electromagnets of the firstpolarity have a north polarity, and the plurality of permanent magnetsof the second polarity and the plurality of electromagnets of the secondpolarity have a south polarity.
 8. The magnetic propulsion drive moduleof claim 6, further comprising a synchronization gear to align the atleast one north polarity permanent magnet of one of the drive moduleswith the at least one north polarity electromagnet of an adjacent drivemodule.
 9. The magnetic propulsion drive module of claim 6, wherein: theat least one rotor block assembly includes two immediately adjacent andlongitudinally positioned rotor block assemblies, and electromagnets ofa same polarity are radially offset from one another on the same rotorassembly and are offset radially offset from one another between the twoimmediately adjacent and longitudinally positioned rotor blockassemblies.